Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 151,330	$ 163,958	$ 323,310
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(3,164)	(3,670)	(8,321)
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	549	(1,230)	(1,712)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,485)	(2,486)	(2,486)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 146,230	$ 156,572	$ 310,791
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,529	105,120	104,232
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.39	$ 1.49	$ 2.98
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 151,330	$ 163,958	$ 323,310
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	549	(1,230)	(1,712)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(2,485)	(2,486)	(2,486)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 149,394	$ 160,242	$ 319,112
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,529	105,120	104,232
Stock options using the treasury method	0	5	18
Noncontrolling interests Common Units	2,256	2,442	2,811
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,785	107,567	107,061
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.39	$ 1.49	$ 2.98
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 151,330	$ 163,958	$ 323,310
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	549	(1,230)	(1,712)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,485)	(2,486)	(2,486)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 149,394	$ 160,242	$ 319,112
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,376	107,153	106,634
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.39	$ 1.50	$ 2.99
Earnings per Common Share/Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 151,330	$ 163,958	$ 323,310
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	549	(1,230)	(1,712)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(2,485)	(2,486)	(2,486)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 149,394	$ 160,242	$ 319,112
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,376	107,153	106,634
Stock options using the treasury method	0	5	18
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,376	107,158	106,652
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 1.39	$ 1.50	$ 2.99